Description

The amalgamation of concepts and ideas that comprise
dispensationalism are surely considered in the various contentions with its
theological framework, especially in discourse with covenant theology.
Dispensationalism is a relatively new theological construct, not gaining
legitimate and broad affirmation until the mid-nineteenth century.[1]
Thomas Ice contends that dispensationalism is “a cluster of items joined
together to form a system of thought.”[2] A
variety of theological concepts, therefore, are combined to form the
overarching contention of dispensationalism. This paper will provide a survey
of dispensationalism’s theological framework as well as offer a discourse from
the perspective of covenant theology. The broad arguments of dispensationalism
will be examined, and theological dissentions with dispensationalism will be
engaged.

With the term
dispensationalism coined by Phillip Mauro,[3] the
construction of dispensationalism holds a variety of supports, not the least of
which is its view on the literal interpretation of Scripture. Here I will
provide an analysis of the overarching concepts within dispensationalism
including interpretation of Scripture, the distinction between Israel and the
church, and typical dispensational divisions. Moreover, this paper will offer a
survey of notable dispensationalists in church history. Finally, this paper
will give a theological critique of dispensationalism and dissent from the
perspective of a covenant theology. Although dispensationalism has seemingly
diminished in recent decades,[4] it is
still a prominent part of eschatological theology among Western (and primarily
American) evangelicals. Thus, the theological arguments offered by
dispensationalists must be considered by all (American) Christians, for surely
such arguments will be encountered.